Arson/Attempted Murder Village Green

(Cocoa, FL)—A 47-year-old man is facing attempted murder and arson charges after a domestic dispute with his girlfriend caused him to set a fire inside the apartment where they couple resided. At approximately 9:50 a.m. Thursday, dispatchers received a 911 call from a woman claiming her boyfriend had broken into her apartment through a back window. As patrol officers arrived on scene the suspect was exiting the apartment. He was immediately detained. Approximately 10 minutes later, the victim opened the door to go back inside her apartment and smoke began pouring out. Patrol officers immediately evacuated the entire building including a pregnant woman directly above the burning apartment. There were no injuries.

The investigation later revealed the suspect, identified as Melchizedek Seal, (DOB 03/09/1970), who lived in the apartment with his girlfriend, began arguing with her. He reportedly punched out a window air conditioning unit as his girlfriend fled to another apartment nearby to call for help. Detectives along with investigators from the State Fire Marshal’s Office determined Seal set a mattress on fire before leaving the apartment. Seal is now facing two counts of attempted murder for putting the life of the pregnant woman in danger. He is also facing a charge of occupied arson.